Buford Wayne Moss

Buford Wayne Moss, 62, of Columbia, passed away Monday, August 31, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, September 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Brother Randy Isabell and Brother Bob Vassar officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday, September 3, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born February 2, 1964, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Buford was the son of the late Andrew Buford Moss and the late Carol Sue Tate Moss. On June 26, 2004, he married Tanyel Rippy. Buford excelled in sports and had a true passion for coaching. He especially enjoyed coaching youth sports and took great pride in encouraging and mentoring young people both on and off the field. He was retired from the Franklin Fire Department, where he took great pride in serving as a firefighter. Buford was a loving brother, husband, father, and “Pops,” and was a member of Santa Fe Baptist Church.

His family remembers him as their “Superman,” Pops, and the biggest fan of their children. He loved his family like no other and made every effort to be present at their events and involved in their lives. He was always just one phone call away whenever they needed him. He showed his family what it meant to work hard to provide for those he loved, to love his children and grandchildren, and to support them in everything they did.

Buford’s love of sports and coaching touched the lives of many young people throughout the years. His family recalls hearing countless stories from men he had coached who continued to speak highly of the impact he had on them, both on and off the field. They consider it a blessing to have had a father who was so respected and loved by so many.

In addition to his wife of 22 years, Tanyel Rippy Moss, he is survived by his children, Adam (Tori) Moss of Mt. Pleasant, Seth (Shelsea) Moss of Primm Springs, Hannah (Tanner) Hallmark of Columbia, Ashton (Will) Batey of Knoxville, and Rebecca Rummage of Columbia; grandchildren, Audrey, Ramsey, Baylor, Cutler, Journey, Gracelynn, Paxton, Kameron, Landon, Amelia, and Neyland; brothers, Timothy Moss and Michael (Hailey) Moss; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Buford leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, service, and encouragement. His family expressed, “Thank you for being the best father you could to us and a secondary father and positive influence to so many other kids around. There definitely won’t be another like him.” Though he will be deeply missed, his family finds comfort knowing that he will have a “front row seat” to everything they do from here on out.

Please keep Tanyel and the entire Moss family in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss of a beloved husband, father, Pops, brother, friend, and mentor.

Pallbearers will be Mark Nichols, Ricky Tate, Hayden Plummer, Terry George, Connor Moss, Destin Moss, and Ray Tate. Honorary pallbearers will include his cousins and his friends from the Columbia and Franklin Fire Departments.